Conversation bench created in Debenham for villagers to stop, sit and talk

A community group in Debenham is taking a simple approach to a growing rural issue – loneliness and disconnection.

Members of Debenham Shed have built a conversation bench in the village, designed to encourage people to stop, sit and talk – particularly  those who may feel isolated or disconnected locally.

The project is part of Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder, a UK-wide initiative from DRINKiQ and  the UK  Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA), challenging Men’s Sheds across the country to build 100 buddy benches to spark everyday  conversations and strengthen communities.

What makes this story interesting locally is the context.

Debenham is a village of around 3,000 people, but one with a mix of long-standing  rural residents, newer arrivals, and a contrast of wealth and rural poverty.

The Shed sees the bench as a way to bring these different groups together in a shared public space.

The group already works closely with sheltered housing and local environmental projects but has been keen to extend its reach beyond  those already engaged – particularly towards people experiencing loneliness.

As one member put it, the aim was to create “a place to linger and start to converse”, offering a simple route into connection.

True to its community roots, the Shed involved local residents in shaping the idea, while drawing on its own skills in woodworking, carving  and restoration.

Members have previously supported a range of community and environmental projects, from restoring benches to creating owl, bird and hedgehog habitats.

The bench has now been installed in the village, in a location chosen to encourage regular use, with the Shed committed to maintaining  it long-term.

The wider campaign is rooted in a clear insight: while four in five Brits believe a conversation can improve someone’s day, fewer  than half would start one with a stranger.

By creating visible, welcoming spaces in everyday settings, the project aims to bridge that gap.